Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
Also called: Academic Advisor · Academic Counselor · Admissions Counselor · Career Counselor · College Counselor · Elementary School Counselor
Median pay (national)
$65,140
$43,580–$105,870 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
342,350
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.5%
~31,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $105,870 versus $43,580 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $65,140 leaves roughly 63% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.5% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 31,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $94,320, +45% vs the national median), while Guam sits lowest at $38,880 — a 143% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Counsel individuals or groups to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
- Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
- Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
- Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
- Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.
- Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
- Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
- Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- ACT Discover
- ACT WorkKeys
- Adobe ActionScript
- Athena Software Penelope Case Management
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Blackboard software
- Blackboard Wimba
- Bloomz
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Therapy and Counseling
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Sociology and Anthropology